While there all sorts of action-style video games out there, beat ’em up types are special because they’re just about beating bad guys without muss or fuss. And these games from 2024 will help with that.
#8 Kong: Survival Instinct
What happens when massive titans collide and fight in your city? Well, you’re going to find out with Kong: Survival Instinct. In this game, players are left in a city that becomes a battleground for these behemoths. You’ll have to rely on your cunning, strength, and some Monarch tech to help get you out alive.
Explore the city, gather useful gear, and try to find a way to your trapped child. However, you’ll need to use whatever you have at your disposal, whether that’s your firearms, a sledgehammer, or your good old fists, to fight off enemies that stand in your way in this city of rubble.
#7 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind
It’s Morphin Time! That’s right, it’s time to become those “teenagers with attitudes” once more, as you embark on a quest to save history via Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind!
In the game, the vile Robo-Rita has been reborn, and she decides to stick it to the Power Rangers by going back in time, working with her younger self, and doing her best to rewrite history so that the Rangers never existed!
As the original five Rangers, you’ll need to fight off numerous foes, both familiar and remixed, to ensure that things go as they should and send both Rita’s packing! Play alone or with friends, and may the power protect you.
#6 Another Crab’s Treasure
When you hear about Soulslike titles, you’ll understand that there are beat’em up elements to such games, albeit in different manners and styles. With Another Crab’s Treasure, you’ll see these styles take you under the sea because you’re playing a literal crab!
In this case, you’re a hermit crab who has had his shell “repossessed!” To get it back, you’ll have to wander the waters and fight all manner of sea creatures to try and get what you need to buy your shell back. However, to do that, you’ll need to wear trash as shells to withstand the damage heading your way.
Do you have what it takes to get your shell back?
#5 Toxic Crusaders
If you don’t remember the Toxic Crusaders animated series, don’t worry; you’re not alone. It only lasted one season, but people were so passionate about continuing its plot that they made a video game to ensure it went on!
Yep, this game is not just a side-scrolling beat’em up title, but it’s the “second season” of the story, and you’ll play as all the crusaders as they attempt to protect their home and stop all the monsters that roam around it.
Plus, the game has a 4-person co-op, fully voice-acted cutscenes with professionals, and more! So why not give it a try?
#4 Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients
Welcome to the world of Gliese, a place that has many secrets within, magic to unlock, and a dark presence binding it together.
You are Astor, a young being trying to free the planet. But to do so, you’ll need to wander its many landscapes, fight numerous foes, and unlock the powers within as you overcome certain obstacles!
How you take on foes is your choice! You can be a powerful close-range fighter or do long-range attacks to keep foes at a distance! You can even unleash magic upon them if that’s your preference. The more you unlock, the more your options grow, so seek out new powers and save this world!
#3 Stick It to the Stickman
How badly have you wanted to stick it to your co-workers? Well, you’ll find out in Stick It to the Stickman!
The game focuses on you being a nameless employee who seeks to climb the “corporate ladder.” However, plenty of other stickmen like you are trying to climb that same ladder. The solution? Take them out with extreme prejudice!
Use whatever weapons you have to wipe out your competitors, and have a ball while doing it! Don’t be afraid to get creative, including using vehicles to wipe them all out of sight!
In the end, only YOU deserve to be at the top of the ladder, right?
#2 G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra
When it comes to iconic franchises, you can get much better than this group of G.I. Joes! In G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra, you’ll get rewound back to the 80s, as the classic cartoon gets reborn as a side-scrolling beat’em up where you’ll play as Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, and more to take on the forces of Cobra and their plans for world domination!
Each Joe has special moves to use, so pick the character you like the most and save the day! After all, you don’t want Cobra to have his throne, do you? We didn’t think so.
So now you know. And knowing is half the battle!
#1 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Finally, we’re ending with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The franchise as a whole is a “beat’em up” style, but this game will take it to the next level by adding in RPG elements, combo attacks, loads of unique weapons, and so on.
Plus, you’ll get to play Ichiban as he attempts to reclaim the wealth that he worked so hard for and maybe even meet his mother! Doesn’t that sound like a worthy cause?
Not to mention, there are loads of special side quests and minigames for you to enjoy as you venture around both Japan and Hawaii! So, ready for an adventure?
Disclaimer:
Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate and Ikaro Will Not Die were removed due to now being slated for 2025.
